Canaryseed: Not Just Bird Feed Anymore?

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are making significant strides in the development of canario, a type of canaryseed that may have potential human applications, according to Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food (SAF) Special Crops Specialist Ray McVicar.

“Canario is the market trade name that the industry has developed for those canaryseed varieties that are smooth and hairless, or glabrous. It does not have the small hair on the seed that causes the dust to be very itchy and irritating on your skin.”

Canada is the largest producer and exporter of canaryseed in the world, and Saskatchewan is home to 95 per cent of that production.

Through an Agriculture Development Fund (ADF # 20010108) project, the Crop Development Centre at the University of Saskatchewan, under the direction of Dr. Pierre Hucl, has successfully developed canario varieties that are not as irritating to the skin, and also produce better yields.

“Dr. Hucl’s program has developed a number of hairless varieties. This makes the crop much easier to work with, and reduces the risks of throat, breathing and more serious health problems,” says McVicar.

Canario yields have been lower than regular canaryseed, until now.

“When the first variety of canario was released—CDC Maria—it was typically lower yielding than the other two varieties that have been grown for many years,” says McVicar. “It also had higher bushel weight because, without the hair, it packed down more. Dr. Hucl has released varieties that are equal in yield to the old standard, itchy type of canaryseed.”

McVicar explains that all canaryseed is currently used for the bird food market only. No human consumption is allowed and, in order to start to look at the human consumption market, one would have to have the hairless type.

This is where canario shows promise. The recently approved canaryseed check-off, sanctioned by the provincial government through the creation of the Canaryseed Development Commission of Saskatchewan, will now make it possible to explore potential new markets for canaryseed, concludes McVicar.

“The commission will be looking closely at potential new uses for canario when it undertakes its strategic planning session in the next few weeks.”

For more information, contact:

Ray McVicar
Special Crops Provincial Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food
(306) 787-4665